Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Vehicle Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves lowering front‑window tint limit from 50% to 35%
Summary
Representative Steve Vetter presented House Bill 13‑40 to reduce allowable front driver/passenger window light transmittance from 50% to 35%. The Highway Patrol said troopers carry tint meters and did not oppose the change; Sheriff and public witnesses supported it. The committee voted to advance the bill.
The Senate Transportation Committee advanced House Bill 13‑40, which would lower the allowable light transmittance for front driver and passenger side windows from 50% to 35 percent.
Representative Steve Vetter said the change would align North Dakota with many neighboring and other states and would help motorists who are sensitive to glare and UV exposure. He and supporters noted that darker tint can reduce interior heat and make valuables less visible when vehicles are parked.
Sheriff Chad Kaiser of Stutsman County testified in support, noting the comfort and glare benefits and saying his office did not use tint meters and rarely enforced tint limits as a primary driver. Tom Iverson, chief operations for the Highway Patrol, testified in a neutral capacity that patrol troopers are issued tint meters and that the agency treats the existing law as a primary offense — troopers have made stops and issued citations for tint violations. Iverson said he did not anticipate the change from 50% to 35% would create a major enforcement problem.
Brad Shafer of the Department of Transportation confirmed the department could supply tint‑meter information if the committee requested it and said he would provide the committee with a list of special‑interest plates without fees on request.
The committee approved a motion for a due‑pass recommendation; the roll call in the hearing transcript recorded affirmative votes from several committee members.
Ending: Supporters emphasized glare reduction and alignment with neighboring states; highway patrol representatives said troopers have the equipment to measure compliance and did not register strong enforcement objections.
